Agenda a Chofnodion

The Chair welcomed Members to the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee and thanked everyone for attending.

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors S. Bradwick, M.J.Powell, S. Rees-Owen, A. Fox and T. Williams.

Derbyn datganiadau o fuddiannau personol gan Aelodau, yn unol â gofynion y Cod Ymddygiad.

Nodwch:

1.    Mae gofyn i Aelodau ddatgan rhif a phwnc yr agendwm mae eu buddiant yn ymwneud ag ef a mynegi natur y buddiant personol hwnnw; a

2.   Lle bo Aelodau'n ymneilltuo o'r cyfarfod o ganlyniad i ddatgelu buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu, mae rhaid iddyn nhw roi gwybod i'r Cadeirydd pan fyddan nhw'n gadael.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

Derbyn cofnodion o gyfarfod blaenorol y Pwyllgor Craffu - Cyllid a Chyflawniad a gafodd ei gynnal 28 Ionawr 2019.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the XXXX as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Trafod Adroddiad Cyflawniad y Cyngor ar gyfer y Drydedd Chwarter

The Service Director, Finance & Improvement Services (and Deputy Section 151 Officer) presented Members with the Quarter 3 Council Performance Report to 31^st December 2019.

The report included information in respect of:-

Ø  revenue and capital budget performance;

Ø  Treasury Management prudential indicators;

Ø  Organisational Health information including staff turnover, sickness and Council strategic risks;

Ø  Corporate Plan priority action plan up dates;

Ø  other national measures; and, 

Ø  Target setting.

The Service Director provided the Committee with an overview of the key information included within the report in respect of financial data and progress against the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities. Members were also provided with information regarding exceptions highlighted within each of the detailed sections and in conclusion the Service Director reported that out of 68 Corporate Plan performance indicators measured and reported during quarter 3, 26 were on target, 8 were within 5% of the target and 19 were not on target by more than 5%.

In response, Members raised a number of questions with the Service Director.

A Member raised a concern in relation to the accuracy of the data. The Service Director acknowledged that information is not being collated strictly in line with the definitions that have been set. In terms of target setting, the Council has proposed new targets for the forthcoming Municipal year and this is something that could be considered as part of the Committee’s work programme.

In respect of transfer of care, a Member raised a number of concerns. Firstly, in respect of the delay of patients from Hospital to Social Care. Secondly, the Member queried the number of sports clubs that are being closed down and thirdly a query was raised in respect of public libraries and reason behind the lack of usage. The Service Director began by advising that the transfer delay was largely down to staff absence, however, he stressed that the 2019/20 budget strategy ensures that staff have the power and resources to deal with the increasing service demand. In respect of leisure, the Service Director reassured Members that the closures are only temporary and that the aim will be to keep the closures as short as possible. In relation to public libraries, the Service Director acknowledged that there had been a significant decrease in usage over the summer months, however, he emphasised that the summer heat wave contributed towards this. Members were advised that an update would be provided during Quarter 4 in respect of the number of virtual library visits and also in respect of the recent changes to the mobile library service.

Discussions ensued and a Member queried the cost in relation to the Pontrhondda Bridge. The Service Director reassured Members that further information would be circulated to Members following the meeting.

A Member sought clarification in terms of missed recycling targets. The Service Director informed Members that the recycling targets are set each Municipal year by the Welsh Government. During the 2018/19 Municipal Year, the Welsh Government changed the recycling targets that the Council  ...  view the full Cofnodion text for item 44.

Trafod adroddiad y Cyfarwyddwr Gwasanaethau Cyllid a Digidol  

The Head of Finance: Education & Financial Reporting provided Members  with the opportunity to scrutinise the 2019/20 Capital Strategy Report and 2019/20 Treasury Management Strategy Report. 

Members were informed that the report would be dealt with in two parts:-

1.     2019/20 Capital Strategy Report incorporating Prudential Indicators (Appendix 1)

2.    Treasury Management Strategy incorporating Investment Strategy, Treasury Management Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2019/20 (Appendix 2)

In respect of Capital Strategy, Members were informed that the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (updated 2017) introduces a requirement to produce a Capital Strategy containing Prudential Indicators previously incorporated within the Treasury Management Strategy. The Head of Finance: Education & Financial Reporting also advised Members that the Capital Strategy provides contextual information on future Council plans that impact upon Treasury Management activity.

Members were provided with an overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contribute to the provision of Council services along with an overview of the associated risk, its management and the implications for future financial sustainability.

Discussions ensued and a Member sought clarification on whether the regulations in respect of borrowing were set by the UK Government or Welsh Government. The Head of Finance: Education & Financial Reporting

confirmed that the UK Government set it.

The Elected Parent/ Governor Representative queried whether the plans had already been adopted by Cabinet. The Head of Finance: Education & Financial Reporting confirmed that the strategy was based on the capital programme as approved by full Council on the 27^th of March 2019.

Following discussion, The Head of Finance: Education & Financial Reporting referred Members to Appendix 2 of the report and the Treasury Management Strategy report.

Members were informed that the Treasury Management Strategy Statement details the expected activities of the Treasury Management function in the forthcoming financial year (2019/20).

Members were provided with information in respect of:-

Ø  Treasury Management Strategy 2019/20;

Ø  Investment Strategy for 2019/20

Ø  Treasury Indicators for 2018/19 (actual to date) and 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22 

Ø  Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy statement.

The Head of Finance: Education & Financial Reporting advised Members that Brexit has caused a significant reduction in economic growth and has caused uncertainty in respect of interest rates.

Following consideration of the report, Members RESOLVED to-

1.    Approve the Treasury Management Strategy incorporating Investment Strategy, Treasury Management Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2019/20; and,

2.    Approve the 2019/20 Capital Strategy Report incorporating Prudential Indicators.

Derbyn adroddiad y Prif Weithredwr sy'n amlinellu hunanasesiad corfforaethol a hunanasesiad o wasanaethau'r Cyngor ar gyfer 2018 ar gyfer yr Aelodau.

The Service Director – Finance & Improvement Services (and Deputy Section 151 Officer) presented Members with the Corporate and Service Self-Assessments of the Council for 2018.

Members were informed that the observations and comments of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee would form a part of the formal consultation feedback to Cabinet.

The Service Director – Finance & Improvement Services (and Deputy Section 151 Officer) advised Members that the corporate self-assessment considers the performance of the corporate body of the Council. Members were referred to Appendix B of the report.

Members were told that the service self-assessments have been challenged, reviewed and signed off by the respective Cabinet Member and the Group Director, and have been subject to an independent challenge by the Chief Executive. Members were referred to Appendix C of the report for a list of the service areas that have completed the service self-assessments. The actions arising from the corporate self-assessment process are incorporated within the Delivery Plans of individual services. The Senior Leadership Team will monitor these actions and a summary shared with the Cabinet.

Members were reminded that the corporate self-assessments report also seeks to meet the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations Act to improve the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Well-being of the people and communities of RCT.

Discussions ensued and a Member noted that Members should pass along any information or concerns to Council Committees prior to talking to the Media. The Member stressed that this would strengthen the democratic process. The Service Director noted that this could be fed back to Cabinet.

The Elected Parent/Governor Representative referred Members to section 6.1 of the report and raised his concerns in respect of the number of children being looked after being described as the “worst” in Wales. A number of Members agreed and queried whether it is possible for the Council to intervene earlier to stop the child being taken into care. The Service Director advised Members that there are currently 700 children in care in RCT and each child will be assessed on an individual basis. The Service Director emphasised that the Council’s focus is on early intervention and a prevention strategy. A Member emphasised that there has been a steady increase of children going into care and that this has been caused by the austerity measures implemented by the UK Government. The Member expressed  concern that whilst austerity continues, children of RCT will continue to suffer.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to approve the draft Council’s Corporate and Service Self Assessments Report.